Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday (May 11, 2026) said attempts made by foreign invaders to destroy India's spiritual and cultural identity had failed, asserting that "Sanatan resides in India's consciousness" and cannot be erased.

Addressing the Somnath Sankalp Mahotsav organised in Varanasi under the 'Somnath Swabhiman Parv', Mr. Adityanath credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for guiding the country towards the vision of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' and for spearheading the revival of major spiritual centres across India.

"Whether it is the grand reconstruction and beautification of the Somnath temple in Saurashtra, the Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Kashi, Mahakal Mahalok in Ujjain or the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, many sacred centres associated with Sanatan tradition are moving ahead on a new journey of development with renewed grandeur," Adityanath said.

The redevelopment and restoration of major pilgrimage centres reflected the resurgence of India's civilisational pride, he said.

"These initiatives have been inspired by the Prime Minister and on behalf of the people of Uttar Pradesh, I congratulate him," he added.

Referring to historical invasions, the Chief Minister said several foreign rulers had attempted to destroy India's cultural and spiritual identity.

"From Mohammad Ghori to the Mughals, many foreign invaders tried to destroy our spiritual and cultural identity," he said.

Targeting Mughal ruler Aurangzeb, Mr. Adityanath said the ancient Kashi Vishwanath temple was demolished during his rule and replaced with what he described as a "symbol of slavery".

"Aurangzeb demolished the ancient temple of Baba Vishwanath and erected a structure symbolising slavery here, but they could not break the soul of India," he said.

"They could not understand that Sanatan does not merely reside within the walls of temples, but in the consciousness of India itself. India believes its soul to be eternal and immortal," he added.

The Chief Minister said India's spiritual and cultural heritage reflected the "eternal call" of the country's enduring civilisation.

"Those who tried to erase Sanatan have themselves vanished into dust.”

Today, no one remembers those invaders, but Kashi Vishwanath Dham and Somnath temple continue to carry forward the story of India's self-respect," he claimed. Mr. Adityanath also alleged that even today, there are forces opposed to the resurgence of India's spiritual and cultural symbols.

"Unfortunately, there are still many forces that do not want to see these symbols of India's pride and self-respect progressing with dignity," he said.

Without naming any political party or leaders, he said the same people who had opposed the reconstruction of the Somnath temple later created obstacles in the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Mr. Adityanath said independent India once had the opportunity to move ahead decisively with such initiatives, but lacked the determination to restore the nation's civilisational pride.

"There was a time when independent India could have effectively advanced such programmes, but there was a lack of intent to restore India's self-respect and civilisational pride," he said.

The Chief Minister further described Somnath Swabhiman Parv as an innovative effort to reconnect India with its roots and said the event marked the clarion call for the resurgence of India's cultural consciousness and spiritual tradition. "Kashi and Somnath are two eternal pillars of India's civilisational consciousness. On one side stands Baba Vishwanath Dham on the sacred banks of Maa Ganga in the north, and on the other stands Lord Somnath Mahadev, the first Jyotirlinga, on the western seashore.

"While Kashi has preserved the uninterrupted spiritual stream of Sanatan on the banks of the Ganga, Somnath has kept alive the flame of our self-respect and renaissance," Mr. Adityanath said.

Calling the reconstruction of the Somnath temple "a declaration of freedom from slavery and the restoration of the nation's self-respect," he further said, "Iron Man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had resolved to rebuild the Somnath Temple. Despite several obstacles and challenges, Patel moved ahead firmly." He also said India's first President Dr. Rajendra Prasad— despite opposition from the government of that time— had attended the re-establishment ceremony of Somnath Mahadev Temple 75 years ago.

Meanwhile, the guests present also watched the live telecast of the Prime Minister performing a special Mahapuja, along with Kumbhabhishek, flag hoisting and rituals during the main event being held at Somnath Temple in Gujarat.

Governor Anandiben Patel also addressed the gathering on the occasion.